Man Who Killed Cop In Car Crash Told Police He Was Robbed: Report

MILWAUKEE, WI -- During the early morning hours of June 18, a man driving on his way to J.J. Chicken and Wings for a late-night snack saw a two-car accident at the intersection of Capitol Drive and 60th Street, police said.

Authorities said he immediately called 911, and went up to the scene of the crash to see if he could render emergency aid. When he later talked with police about what happened, he reported that one driver ran from the scene, and that the other driver found unconscious behind the wheel - to his astonishment - had been wearing a police uniform.

That man turned out to be Milwaukee police officer Kou Her. Her was transported to Froedtert Hospital for emergency medical treatment, where he was later pronounced dead. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office reported that Her died of multiple blunt force injuries.

According to a criminal complaint filed Friday in Milwaukee County, Dante James, 34, of Milwaukee, has been charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, knowingly operating a motor vehicle while revoked-resulting in death, and hit-and-run resulting in death. If he's convicted, James faces up to 43 years behind bars.

Milwaukee police officers were dispatched to the intersection of 60th Street and Capitol Drive just after 2 a.m. on June 18 on a report of a two-vehicle crash.

Investigators say the driver of a red 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, later identified as James, disregarded a red traffic light as he drove west on Capitol Drive, and struck the 2010 white Toyota Corolla driven by Her.

According to the criminal complaint, a witness at the scene said he saw the car driven by James drive east, only to make a very wide U-turn as he doubled back. The witness told police that he had to move his car over to the parking lane in order to avoid James' car as he passed him. The witness told police he and James both stopped at a red light at Capitol Drive and Fond du lac Ave.

Police continued to question the witness, who told officers that he saw James' car accelerate toward the red light at 60th Street. The witness said James' car ran through the light without slowing down until it struck a smaller white vehicle - which is the vehicle driven by Her.

According to the criminal complaint, the witness dialed 911 and ran from his car toward the scene to check on both drivers who were involved in the accident. Police said he saw James hurriedly pushing the driver's side door open before running from the scene.

Police said the witness went over to the white Toyota Corolla, only to find a man resting unconscious and dressed in a police uniform.

About 20 minutes later, police on patrol in the area of Capitol Drive and Sherman saw a man walking in the area that matched the description of James. According to the criminal complaint, James had blood running down his face when officers walked up to him. The officer who confronted James noted that he smelled of alcohol.

Police said James initially told the officer that he had been robbed. The story did not hold up for long, and James was arrested, according to the criminal complaint. Police say James is on probation for his fourth drunk driving offense.

A U.S. flag-draped gurney containing the body of Her arrived at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office on the morning of June 18. The somber scene unfolded as uniformed officers walked the gurney into the building. Dozens of officers - both uniformed and plain-clothed - were joined by loved ones in salute as he was brought inside.

"This is a difficult time, as we've had before in the last year, to lose a police officer," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in a statement. "I want the residents of this city to know and to appreciate the work that's done by our police officers."

In a WISN-12 report, Milwaukee Alderman Cavalier Johnson shared his views of the intersection where Her was killed.

"I am actually kind of sick to my stomach. That's an intersection I travel through and that my family travels through," said Johnson. "It's sad, it's tragic and it's unnecessary. The Milwaukee Police Department has sacrificed so much."